When Jenny O'Donnell, TMU's chief human resources officer, heard a CBC interview about menopause in the workplace, inspiration struck. She shared it with Workplace Wellbeing Services director, Jennifer (Jen) Alefounder, and ideas began to flow.
"On Metro Morning, Teresa, a menopause specialist, was talking about the impact of menopause, specifically in the workplace, and how it's a topic that isn't talked about, and that there are many women and gender-diverse folks who are struggling in silence," recalled Alefounder.
TMU's Jennifer (Jen) Alefounder, Workplace Wellbeing Services director, Tanya (Toni) De Mello, Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion and Kayla Persaud, Campus Mental Health Specialist, celebrate their award at the event.
"We did a lot of research and thinking about how to bring this to the workplace in a way that is creative and builds community, recognizing that menopause will impact 50% of our population," she continued.
Kayla Persaud, Campus Mental Health Specialist, adds, "Menopause continues to be under-recognized in professional settings, despite its impact on cognitive function, emotional regulation and overall wellbeing. This was an opportunity to challenge dominant narratives- not just by adding accommodations, but building structures of support rooted in a community of care."
So, in 2024, Alefounder and Persaud launched the "Navigating Menopause in the Workplace" series.
It was facilitated by that same menopause specialist, Teresa Isabel Dias, who had been on the CBC radio program.
As a result of their efforts, this year, Alefounder, Persaud and their team were honoured with the Alan Shepard Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Team Award for creating an initiative to advance workplace inclusivity and empower individual advocacy.
Sessions a success
In 2024, Alefounder and Persaud organized two series - the first around International Women's Day in March (three virtual sessions), and the second during International Menopause Awareness Month and TMU's Wellbeing Week in October (four virtual sessions).
Both Alefounder and Persaud were surprised by the enthusiastic response - 140 staff and faculty registered for the first introductory session, and 669 for all seven sessions.
Focus on community and intersectionality
Community building was central to the series for Alefounder, Persaud and their team. They also emphasized intersectionality - how gender, age, race and ability shape one's experience of menopause in the workplace.
"Our goal is to recognize that the onus should not only be on the individual to advocate on their own for what they need, it's around building a community of care where employees are aware of resources that are available for them, and that leaders have tools to support the well-being of their employees who may be struggling," Alefounder says.
The series explored how different health factors affect the workplace, mental health and well-being.
It also discussed how leaders and colleagues can support each other to build community care.
The team included a special session for administrative and academic leaders, some of whom may not experience menopause or be familiar with it.
During Wellbeing Week, Alefounder and Persaud moderated a panel called Diverse Experiences of Menopause', which centered on the lived experiences of equity-deserving groups.
"Menopause affects day-to-day functioning - cognition, mood, energy, sleep and confidence - all of which directly affect a person's capacity to speak up, take risks, and fully engage at work. This is the very foundation of psychological safety," says Persaud.
"This panel was about moving beyond the dominant narrative - one that often centers cis white, able-bodied experiences - to include the voices of racialized, queer, disabled, and trans individuals."
What's next
The success of the series led to the creation of TMU's first Menopause Resource Group, which meets quarterly to provide ongoing support and advocacy. Another series is planned for October to align with International Menopause Awareness Month.
"I feel grateful to have received this award and to be leading this work, but it really does take a village to be able to put something like this together. So grateful for everyone who has supported us and recognized the work," says Alefounder.
Persaud adds: "It is truly about collective care and a community approach. And I hope this becomes a blueprint for other organizations looking to embed collective care into workplace culture."
All recipients of the Alan Shepard Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Employee Awards were celebrated at the Toronto Met Awards Gala on May 8, 2025.
